Hypnosis has many definitions. Perhaps the simplest one is that hypnosis is an altered state of consciousness in which the subconscious mind plays the dominant role. The subconscious mind is that part of our mind that holds our long-term memories, our habits, and our emotions. Everything we have ever thought, felt, tasted, smelled, seen, heard, read, or fantasized is recorded in our subconscious mind. The seat of our habits and the steering wheel of our behaviors lie within the subconscious mind.

Hypnosis is often used to help a person achieve a desired change, whatever that may be. For some it is to lose weight. For others it may be to stop smoking, enhance sports performance, enhance self-esteem or memory and concentration. Others use hypnosis to lessen or eliminate pain. Whatever it is used for, the process is much the same. When the person is in that “altered state of consciousness” it opens the window to their subconscious mind, and the Hypnotherapist can then speak to that subconscious mind, giving it the suggestions that are needed to effect the desired change. If a person really wants the stated or suggested change, his or her subconscious mind accepts the suggestions for changed attitude, perception, or behavior and the desired change comes about.

Hypnosis is not sleep. The brain waves in sleep and the brain waves in hypnosis are quite different. When you are hypnotized, you can be perfectly aware of your surroundings. Neither is hypnosis mind control. In hypnosis you do retain your will; you have the power to reject a suggestion given in hypnosis, either by ignoring it, or by coming out of the hypnotic state. Nor is hypnosis a “truth serum.” While hypnosis is used at times voluntarily to help people retrieve memories (as in criminal cases, where a helpful witness may be hypnotized to remember a license plate number), you will not reveal anything in hypnosis that you choose not to reveal.

Hypnosis enables a person to bypass the critical factor of the conscious mind and achieve the attitudinal or behavioral modifications that are desired. It is relaxing, enjoyable, and effective

By Janet I. Decker, C.Ht.
Clinical Hypnotherapist